Pollution from Motor Vehicles

Gases released from motor vehicles contribute to air pollution greatly. It releases hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and particulates. It contributes to lung cancer, asthma, leukemia and pneumonia.

United States Congress passed the Motor Vehicle Air Pollution Control Act in 1965, allowing the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish the first federally mandated emission standards on light-duty vehicles. The Act called for a 72% reduction of hydrocarbons, 56% reduction of carbon monoxide and a 100% reduction of crankcase hydrocarbons. It established the National Air Pollution Control Administration (NAPCA), which became responsible for future pollution control efforts.

I chose these three countries because they are so different from one another.

Barbados

Life Expectancy
total population: 74.34 years male: 72.07 yearsfemale: 76.64 years (2011 est.)

GDP (2008): $3.682 billion.
GDP growth rate (2008): 0.7%.
Per capita GDP (2008 est.): $19,100.

South Africa

Life Expectancy
total population: 49.33 years male: 50.24 yearsfemhale: 48.39 years (2011 est.)

GDP (2009): $287 billion.
Real GDP growth rate: (2008) 3.7%; (2009) -1.8%; (5-year average) 3.7%.
GDP per capita (2009): $5,787.

Iraq

Life Expectancy
total population: 70.55 years male: 69.15 yearsfemale: 72.02 years (2011 est.)

Nominal GDP (2010 est.): $82.2 billion.
Nominal GDP per capita (2010 est., PPP): $2,564.
GDP real growth rate (2010 est.): 0.8%.


1) miles (or km) of land
Barbados: 166.41 sq. miles
South Africa: 471,010.46 sq. miles
Iraq: 168,754.37 sq. miles

2) miles (or km) of roadway
Barbados:
South Africa:
Iraq:

3) Ratio of land to roadway
Barbados: 372
South Africa: 30
Iraq: 10 (in 2001)

4) Veichles per 1000 people
Barbados: 188
South Africa: 192
Iraq: 50